Economics Program

Global Challenges and Economic Transformation

Research questions in this area of focus address, among other things, how markets function, the potential occurrence of market failures, and policy instruments to counteract them. This involves topics from the fields of industrial economics, household, consumer, family, and health economics, public finance, international economics, and money and currency.

Foto: Vier Personen stehen um einen Tisch und arbeiten zusammen. Im Hintergrund ist eine Tafel mit dem Text 'Digitalisierung' sichtbar. Eine weitere Person sitzt im Vordergrund.

Course Content

Market Analysis and Regulation

What is this about? In this area of study, you will learn concepts for analyzing market functionality and market failures. In addition, you’ll gain knowledge about the effects and optimal selection of fiscal, competition, and innovation policy instruments for regulating markets. This combines economic and legal perspectives. National and international health economics topics are also examined and discussed.

What is being researched? The research topics covered by the departments involved in this specialization are extremely diverse. For example, you’ll explore the trade and welfare effects of international trade agreements, the influence of taxes and social security contributions on the behavior of individuals and firms, you might observe innovations and their impacts in subfields of the bioeconomy or robotics; you might analyze whether price-setting algorithms alter structural market conditions and whether this poses a threat to competition; you examine the German long-term care market as well as the socioeconomic determinants of obesity, or you explore how subjective well-being develops with age and how it is influenced by lifestyles.

Why should you choose this specialization? In this specialization, you will learn to conduct in-depth analyses of competition issues from economic and legal perspectives. You’ll also have the opportunity to gain broad expertise in various fields, such as industrial, health, consumer, and innovation economics, as well as public finance.

Modules in the "Global Challenges and Economic Transformation" track

Module

Recommended SemesterRequired
Applied Microeconomics in Action4th semester

Elective

European Innovation Systems and Innovation Policy4th semester

Elective

Public Policy in Times of Economic
Trans­formation
4th Semester

Elective

The Economic Trans­formation of
Households
4th Semester

Elective

History and Development4th Semester

Elective

Inter­national Trade4th Semester

Elective

The Economics of Aging: Population Dynamics and Economic Trans­formation4th Semester

Elective

Basics of Innovation Economics5th Semester

Required Elective

Climate Economics5th Semester

Elective

Money & Currency5th Semester

Elective

Strategic Interactions5th Semester

Elective

The Industrial Revolution and the Roots of Modern Growth5th Semester

Elective

Inter­national Macroeconomics and Finance6th Semester

Elective

Seminars in the "Global Challenges and Economic Transformation" program area

Note: You must select at least one seminar.

ModuleRecommended SemesterRequired
Humboldt Reloaded Project Seminar4th/3rd semester

Elective (required)

Profile Seminar: Global Challenges and Economic Trans­formation5th/6th semester

Elective

Advanced Profile Seminar: Global Challenges and Economic Trans­formation5th/6th Semester

Elective-required

Useful Module Combinations

When selecting your modules, there are two strategies to consider: focusing on a specific area or developing broader skills. In principle, many other module combinations are possible, allowing you to tailor your personal profile to your own interests.

Focus

  • Policy Measures: Public Finance and Taxation, and European Innovation Systems and Innovation Politics
  • Household/Health: Household and Consumer Economics and Health Economics

Building Broader Skills

  • Public Finance and Taxation, Money and Currency, and Inter­national Trade

Career Prospects

The economic and legal training in this specialization equips you, on the one hand, to conduct academic research and analyze markets. On the other hand, as a graduate, you will be able to use this knowledge to develop recommendations for action and decision-making proposals for public and private-sector organizations.

Some typical career paths:

  • Specialist in functional departments (“advisor”)
  • Economic policy consulting and management consulting
  • Social and economic research

Employers include, for example:

  • Multinational companies (especially in energy and telecommunications)
  • Consulting firms
  • Research institutions
  • Public administration
  • Competition authorities (ministries, Federal Cartel Office, Federal Network Agency, European Commission)

Helpful skills:

  • Academic research
  • Preparing legal and economic recommendations
  • Understanding political interrelationships
  • Presenting and defending work results

The CareerCenter offers you support with career orientation and starting your career. You can also get personalized advice here on choosing your major and discuss your potential career paths. The F.I.T. program also offers courses to help you make these decisions.

Advanced Master's Degree Programs

After completing your bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics with a specialization in Competition, Market Failure and Government the following Hohenheim degree programs are particularly recommended:

You are also very well prepared for the following degree programs:

A master’s degree qualifies you for academic work at universities and research institutes.

Lecturers

Your contacts for the Competition, Market Failure and Government Specialization Area

Specialization Area Manager

Prof. Dr. Philipp Weinschenk

Email

Advising

Lukas Tietze

Email